Cowles Transforms Digital Ops With TownNews

The Cowles Co., owner and operator of broadcast stations in the Washington and Montana markets, has selected TownNews to power its future digital initiatives. TownNews will provide the Cowles properties with a full suite of integrated tools and services, including digital content management, content distribution, email marketing, and digital advertising operations.

“You look for partners who understand your challenges,” said Neal Boling, station manager at KHQ Spokane, Wash. “TownNews provides the Cowles Company a digital platform that fits hand-in-glove with our needs. We truly feel like we’re in this together.”

Four sites — KHQ; KULR Billings, Mont.; NBC Right Now (Tri-Cities/Yakima, Wash.), and ABC/Fox Montana (Missoula, Great Falls, Helena and Butte-Bozeman) — will launch with TownNews in the fall of 2018.

“We look forward to collaborating with Neal and his team at Cowles,” said Brad Ward, CEO of TownNews. “They have an outstanding broadcast history and clearly are looking to push the envelope of local media.”

According to Boling, the switch to TownNews has been a smooth one. “This really is the first time in our company’s history that we have changed website vendors,” Boling said. “To say ‘TownNews made it easy’ would be an understatement. We are blown away by the company’s efficiency and customer service, and we’re excited at the new designs for our websites.

“The flexibility and versatility of the TownNews platform will propel us a quantum leap forward.”